Free Private Pilot Helicopter Practice Questions

Sample Practice Questions

Try these 10 sample questions from the Private Pilot Helicopter practice bank. Each includes the answer and explanation. Continue with the interactive practice above to review the full question set.

1. 1A private helicopter pilot plans a daytime pleasure flight with a friend under Part 91. No § 61.57(e) exception applies. The pilot has made three takeoffs and three landings as sole manipulator in the appropriate helicopter category and class. Within what preceding period must these have occurred to satisfy the passenger-carrying experience requirement?

   1. A. 30 days
   2. B. 60 days
   3. C. 90 days
   4. D. 180 days

   Answer: C

   Explanation: Section 61.57(a)(1) requires "at least three takeoffs and three landings within the preceding 90 days". With the category, class, control manipulation, and exception conditions specified, the applicable period is 90 days.

   Reference: 14 CFR § 61.57 — Recent Flight Experience: Pilot in Command — § 61.57(a)(1), (e)

2. 2A pilot is preparing an unfamiliar helicopter for flight and wants to establish the sequence and scope of the exterior inspection. Which source should control that inspection?

   1. A. RFM/POH preflight inspection checklist
   2. B. Minimum equipment list
   3. C. Airworthiness Directive
   4. D. Type certificate data sheet

   Answer: A

   Explanation: The FAA directs pilots to "Follow the manufacturer’s suggested outline for both the inside and outside inspection." The RFM/POH preflight checklist supplies that inspection sequence. An MEL controls eligible inoperative-equipment deferrals, an Airworthiness Directive controls specified corrective requirements, and a type certificate data sheet identifies certification data; none substitutes for the complete manufacturer preflight sequence.

   Reference: Helicopter Flying Handbook — Chapter 8: Ground Procedures and Flight Preparations — Chapter 8, p. 8-2, Preflight

3. 3While surface taxiing toward an active runway, a helicopter pilot identifies a runway holding position sign. What color combination should this mandatory instruction sign display?

   1. A. Black inscription on a yellow background
   2. B. Yellow inscription on a black background
   3. C. White inscription on a red background
   4. D. White inscription on a black background

   Answer: C

   Explanation: AIM 2-3-8 states, "These signs have a red background with a white inscription". Runway holding position signs belong to that mandatory-instruction category. The other color combinations correspond to other airport sign functions.

   Reference: Aeronautical Information Manual — Airport Marking Aids and Signs — AIM 2-3-8, Mandatory Instruction Signs

4. 4As a helicopter becomes light on its landing gear during a vertical takeoff, increasing collective also increases torque. Which control should the pilot adjust to maintain the aircraft’s heading?

   1. A. The cyclic pitch control
   2. B. The antitorque pedals
   3. C. The collective pitch control
   4. D. The engine throttle control

   Answer: B

   Explanation: The FAA instructs, "as the aircraft begins to get light on the landing gear, apply appropriate antitorque pedal to maintain aircraft heading." Pedal input counters the changing torque during liftoff; the other controls do not provide this heading correction.

   Reference: Helicopter Flying Handbook — Chapter 9: Basic Flight Maneuvers — Chapter 9, p. 9-6, Vertical Takeoff to a Hover — Technique

5. 5During a normal helicopter takeoff, the aircraft accelerates through effective translational lift and its nose begins to rise as lift increases. Which cyclic input counters this tendency while acceleration continues?

   1. A. Aft cyclic pressure
   2. B. Left cyclic pressure
   3. C. Forward cyclic pressure
   4. D. Right cyclic pressure

   Answer: C

   Explanation: The FAA directs the pilot to "apply enough forward cyclic to overcome the tendency of the nose to rise." This counters the pitch change while normal climb power and the takeoff profile are established.

   Reference: Helicopter Flying Handbook — Chapter 9: Basic Flight Maneuvers — Chapter 9, p. 9-12, Normal Takeoff from a Hover — Technique

6. 6In planning a helicopter quick stop, a pilot chooses an entry height that accounts for aircraft length and the pitch attitude expected during deceleration. Which clearance is especially important at the highest nose-up attitude?

   1. A. Clearance between the tail rotor and the surface
   2. B. Clearance between the landing gear and the surface
   3. C. Clearance between the main rotor and the surface
   4. D. Clearance between the forward fuselage and the surface

   Answer: A

   Explanation: The FAA requires "a safe clearance between the tail rotor and the surface throughout the maneuver, especially at the point where the pitch attitude is highest." This geometric clearance changes as the helicopter pitches up during deceleration.

   Reference: Helicopter Flying Handbook — Chapter 10: Advanced Flight Maneuvers — Chapter 10, p. 10-4, Rapid Deceleration or Quick Stop — Technique

7. 7A helicopter pilot follows the route by matching visible rivers, road intersections, and towns to the chart. Which navigation method is being used?

   1. A. Dead reckoning
   2. B. Radio navigation
   3. C. Inertial navigation
   4. D. Pilotage

   Answer: D

   Explanation: The FAA defines the method: "Pilotage is navigation by reference to landmarks or checkpoints." The pilot is directly identifying ground features, rather than determining position solely from elapsed time or electronic navigation.

   Reference: Pilot’s Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge — Chapter 16: Navigation — Chapter 16, p. 16-12, Pilotage

8. 8A training helicopter with a counterclockwise main rotor and conventional antitorque rotor is in a normal 2–3 foot hover when a power failure is simulated. What initial collective action does the FAA hovering-autorotation technique specify?

   1. A. Immediately lower collective fully.
   2. B. Immediately raise collective fully.
   3. C. Leave collective unchanged on entry.
   4. D. Cycle collective fully down and up.

   Answer: C

   Explanation: For this low-hover technique, the FAA states, "Do not adjust the collective on entry." Collective is subsequently raised at the appropriate point to cushion touchdown; this differs from entering an autorotation after engine failure at altitude.

   Reference: Helicopter Flying Handbook — Chapter 11: Helicopter Emergencies and Hazards — Chapter 11, p. 11-8, Practicing Power Failure in a Hover — Technique

9. 9During a night helicopter flight, a pilot uses the FAA off-center viewing technique to keep a dim target visible to dark-adapted vision. Approximately how far above, below, or to either side of the target should the pilot look?

   1. A. 30 degrees
   2. B. 10 degrees
   3. C. 20 degrees
   4. D. 45 degrees

   Answer: B

   Explanation: The FAA describes off-center target surveillance: "They look 10 degrees above, below, or to either side of the target, viewing it no longer than two to three seconds at each position." The recommended offset is approximately 10 degrees, with continued short viewing shifts rather than prolonged fixation.

   Reference: Helicopter Flying Handbook — Chapter 12: Night Operations — Chapter 12, p. 12-4, Figure 12-4, Off-center vision technique

10. 10A helicopter flight has ended, and the pilot is conducting a normal shutdown before passenger disembarkation. According to the FAA handbook, until what point should passengers remain seated in the helicopter with their belts secured?

    1. A. Until the rotors have stopped turning
    2. B. Until the engine first reaches idle RPM
    3. C. Until the collective is placed fully down
    4. D. Until the landing gear first supports the aircraft

    Answer: A

    Explanation: The FAA states, "Passengers should remain in the helicopter with their seats belts secured until the rotors have stopped turning." In the specified normal shutdown, landing, collective position, or engine idle does not replace that rotor-stop criterion.

    Reference: Helicopter Flying Handbook — Chapter 8: Ground Procedures and Flight Preparations — Chapter 8, p. 8-6, After Landing and Securing